Hello Mike,
There is a company I have dealt with in the past called Supervision
International that does high-tech (whatever that means) signs utilizing
fiber optic strands. They also have a unique lighting system for the
residential market that uses a centralized light source, and fibers to carry
the light to remote locations, as in landscape lights and stairway step
lighting. In that case the fiber is connected to the light source on one
end and there is a small lense at the other to diffuse the light.
There are two types of fibers that I know of, and both come in many
different thicknesses. One type is the stuff that we all have probably seen
before, which glows brightly at the tip of the fiber. The other glows along
it's entire length, and is braided together and used to simulate neon. A
multi-colour gel wheel can be used at the source end, slowly spinning and
thus changing the colour of the whole strand from time to time.
The most important thing is to cut the fiber with a hot knife, or touch the
end of the fiber with a soldiering iron, so that the end can let the light
shine through. If the end is abraded the light will be diminished.
Supervision has a web site which you should be able to run down with a
simple search, and a good catalog which will answer your tech questions. If
you can't find them let me know and I will dig up their number/address. I
believe that they are based in or near Orlando, Florida. They have the best
stuff that I have seen.
I have used their stuff to do simulated starfields in themed restaurants
here at FX. I also have a couple of projects going at home, mostly light
delivery systems for some fountains I am working on for my new company. It
is really fun to play with...good luck on your project.
Jim Tallman
Sr. Designer
FX Studios
- Original Message -
From: "The Shaws" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "Mailinglist Sundial"
Sent: Wednesday, May 03, 2000 2:42 AM
Subject: Fibre optic cables
> Dear knowledgeable sundial folk,
>
> At the recent BSS conference, one of the sundial competition prizewinning
> entries was a remote reading sundial based on fibre optic cables. There
is
> also an article about a similar one in BSS Bulletin 89/2 Page 16 by
> W.G.Benoy.
>
> I rather fancy having a go at making such a dial - but know nothing
> whatsoever about fibre optic cables.
>
> Where do you get them from?
> Do you buy a long piece and cut it to length?
> I assume they come in different diameters?
> Any help appreciated
>
> Mike Shaw
>
> [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> 53.37N 3.02W
> Wirral, UK
>
>
>
>
>
